​Phoenix police were forced to use pepper-spray on a group of demonstrators protesting the American Legislative Exchange Council at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in northeast Phoenix this afternoon when the activists raised a little hell in front of the resort.

In at least one instance, a protester attacked police -- who were decked-out in full riot gear -- with a pole that had nails and screws sticking out of it.

Many of the protesters are part of the "Occupy Phoenix" movement that's (sort of) been going on in downtown Phoenix for nearly two months.

The "occupiers," however, were relatively well behaved, sources who were at the protest tell New Times. Some of their friends, on the other hand, were the main cause of the disturbance.

"Unfortunately a few Anarchist have joined the occupied movement and
crowds tried to push their way through the police line on to the resort
property," Phoenix Sergeant Trent Crump says. "OC spray was deployed twice on aggressive groups, which was
effective in stopping their actions."

Many of those "anarchists" were from out of state, our source says, and
were bussed in for the sole purpose of protesting the ALEC conference.

So far, Crump says, seven protesters have been arrested on charges of
obstructing government operations, criminal damage and assault on a
police officer.

ALEC describes itself as a non-partisan organization designed to
"advance the Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited
government,
federalism, and individual liberty, through a nonpartisan public-private
partnership of America's state legislators, members of the private
sector, the federal government, and general public."

Left-wing activists feel the organization has too much power over state
Legislatures and uses corporate influence to impact policy decisions.
Many lefties credit the organization with everything from promoting
private prisons, to beating back labor unions, and even hold it somewhat
responsible for SB 1070, Arizona's controversial immigration law.

What a bunch of meatheads elvis and his cohorts are, he talks about the "70's" and the protests he attended, what a bunch of bunk, it was the late 60's, and it was at encanto park, and the cops did bust heads. As far as ALEC, they have been around since at least the 70's, and the Kochs and their cohorts are doing exactly what the OWSer's are against. They (ALEC) are very bad news, I'm glad they are actually being exposed out of their hidey hole, it couldn't happen to a worse group of arseholes.

So who really wrote 1070? I doubt it was Pearce. ALEC Exposed also has model legislation on prison privatization, crime, repealing labor rights, child labor laws, voter ID laws and numerous other areas of concern, including the privatization of our education system.

What the police call "sticks with nails" you and I call signs. This is a smarmy, lazy, inaccurate report, article or to again use more accurate words a piece of shit. New Times you have been a joke and a bore for years (I hear you carry some ads? Is that true) Will never read your giveaway again which won't be a sacrifice as I have not read it in years anyway. Please write though if you find out the home of the $1 dollar install

Just because this is the 66th comment does not mean your story was successful, it means people are straight up making fun of your reporting. You remind me of the dude that was part of the Young Republicans at ASU who thinks he is totes witty.

This is a disappointing report. It seriously doubt that police report about being hit with a pole. Generally, police don't pepper spray people that do that. They actually shoot them, and for even less. So I would check my sources. As for using the "good" vs. "bad" protester card, shame on you.

Shame on you for writing an apologia for aggressive Police behavior. Words like, "Police were forced to use pepper-spray," are not just lies, they shift blame away from the real perpetrators: police institutions with aggressive protest containment strategies and the governmental and corporate institutions that deploy them. Just as with all occupy related actions the police were aggressive, brutal, and tactically provocative. Look at this article from the militantly anti-authoritarian journal Forbes (hint: irony). http://www.forbes.com/sites/jo... What we are seeing is systematic attempt to violently stifle free speech all while shifting the blame to those who are being brutalized. Shame on James King and the New Times for perpetuating those lies. I thought I could expect better from you.

Obstructing government business...with ALEC?! What about the people's business? Since when is unabashed lobbying and stealing of citizen's voices government business? Oh yeah that's right we still live in the fascist corporate state of Arizona. Couple more recalls and elections to go to put legislators who represent the PEOPLE into office and all that should get cleared up like a milk bath on pepper sprayed eyes.

Wow don't know who you spoke to, but I was there and have video to prove it! The people on the front lines never told me or anyone else they were anarchists. Further more the police attacked us and were never attacked by us all anyone involved in our peaceful protest did was try to hold their sings up and and advance toward the resort to express our constitutional rights, and confront the corrupt system that is ALEC. Shame on you for such faulty journalism.

I was there. This is WRONG altogether; yellow journalism (at best). Shame on you. This kind of press is intended to undermine solidarity and free speech. And to keep your readers ignorant and misinformed. I expected better, New Times.

Interestingly, anarchism is a political philosophy and you can't tell whose an anarchist based on the way they look. And I don't really recall journalists or the cops asking us any philosophical questions.

Additionally, no police were assaulted and I'm not sure how anyone is "forced" to use chemical weapons on peaceful protesters.

I saw of a cop grabbing someone's sign and using it against them as a weapon against them. Maybe this is what you mean and you accidentally reversed the subject in this quote:

"In at least one instance, a protester attacked police -- who were decked-out in full riot gear -- with a pole that had nails and screws sticking out of it."

I am too young to be of that "generation" however I was at the KKK riot in Cincinnati. what a bunch of bitches wearing dresses they were. A girl threw a can of tomato sauce at their cross. It set off a huge fight.

Thanks for the links. I suspect that this list of ALEC whores is not updated because it shows only one Dem. on the list,that being the worthless sellout Ben Miranda. I know for a fact that,political whore,Sinema appeared on TV promoting ALEC. All should be targeted for removal this next election cycle.

It doesn't even pass as a fun fictional read. Its like a brietbart wire report with no sources. Couldn't he claim the anarchist busses could fly or that people were wearing chain mail. Maybe paraphrase the police quote to include the "factual" statement that the cops have never done anything wrong ever.

BUSSED IN, That sounds like a 1960s black thing in the old south. being bussed in is for nerd dorks dweebs and geeks man. cool people show up at about 50 people stuffed into a van smelling of old hippie sweat ,pot smoke and patchouli oil in a 1964 VW micro mini van with grateful dead skull stickers all over it with the dead music blasting out of the cheap 8 track stereo. thats how to arrive in style when your a real protester. STP= STOP THE PIGS SERVE THE PEOPLE =STP .REVOLUTION FOR THE HELL OF IT!

so you idiots wear black big deal. so do Satan worshipers and Bikers. its all old and all been done before back in the 1970s punk music scene. nothing is new anymore its just recycled boredom. and you are boring to. you cant change anything Julie. its all hopeless, you will learn this as you age. at about 50 years old life starts to become crystal clear to a person. we cant win down here on earth and life is a lost cause. dont waste your short life on earth on crap like this. get a real life darlin. go to hawaii and learn to surf is my advice. thats what I did. ALOHA FROM SUNSET BEACH ON THE NORTH SHORE OF OHAU HAWAII.

You should have been at the Vietnam protest in Oakland California back in 1967. you wouldnt be able to handle the bloody beatings and broken noses and bones the pigs gave out back then. you guys now days got it easy so quit your sniveling and whining lil girl.

pigs are assholes I learned that back in the 1970s.so get used to it julieann you spoiled punk. it was alot worse back in the 60s and 70s. you spoiled rich white brats today dont know shit about pigs and violence. besides all that protesting will change NOTHING! its all a big waste of time and your short life on this earth.

Since ALEC is a conservative initiaitive, it doesn't surprise me that most members are Republicans.

With all 90 seats (60 House, 30 Senate) up for re-election next year, and 50 of them ALEC members, we could conceivably clean house with one election. Regardless of ALEC membership, all 90 should be targeted for removal next election. Imagine electing an entirely new state legislature in one fell swoop....

At every public appearance by any one of them, they should be asked 1) are they a member of ALEC and 2) what ALEC task force(s), if any, do they participate in. 3) Why are they a member of ALEC and 4) what do they hope to accomplish by introducing legislation that comes out of ALEC? The more this gets into the public arena, the less likely our cooperating news stations (KPHO, KSAZ and KNXV share newsgathering resources -- it's no wonder we have an ill-informed electorate) are to ignore it.

If we, the voters, make it clear that we will not tolerate our elected officials' participation in ALEC, we could probably ensure our newly elected officials won't even consider joining. That's probably asking too much, but hey, I can dream, can't I???

Oh really? How is this confirmed? I was there and I never heard anyone say they were an anarchist and further more none of our protesters attacked any police officers. We were attacked by them and I video taped much of the protest from my cell phone. I saw Phx PD assaulting and throwing 5 foot tall woman like rag dolls. You have got your facts completely wrong my friend. I have the video to prove it look for it on Youtube!

In reply Chico, my friend Julie and I are not spoiled white punks as you call us. I am a 36 yo single parent and small business owner. I have worked hard my entire life, and earned everything I have ever owned on my own merits. I have been on my own since I was 15. I would invite you to please take the time to come down to Cesar Chavez Plaza and speak to myself or any of my other brothers and sisters. I believe you may change your mind about us if you only took the time to speak to us. Why be so closed minded? At least speak to us on a one on one basis to see what we are individually about. We are doing what we feel has to be done to save this planet for our children. My mother and Uncle both marched in the 70's and did their best to affect change for me and my family. I am only carrying on a proud family tradition. My uncle is a long time member of Veterans for peace. I wish you well and hope you take me up on my offer sir.

this punk justin sounds like a nark or a rat snitch to me. he has film of everything and in my world thats a rat or a cop snitch informant. dont trust this guy at all.he will get you pinched. justin is an imformant rata snitch. Viva La Raza!

your a fuckin meatrocket. you cant save the world its going down by Satan 666 the beast. you will die off just as those before us. you seem to be in love with yourself. you and your kind dont have the answers its already been done and the human race lost. we are all just waiting around to die. thats all life is dude. and plenty of sex.